Giampiero Sacchi watches over another tense title battle

Giampiero Sacchi watches over another tense title battle

The Sepang race last year took part at a crucial time in the 125cc title struggle, and played a huge part in the outcome of its destiny. Toni Elías lost all hope of winning the crown with sixth place, meaning the DRT organisation presided over by General Manager Giampiero Sacchi was guaranteed the honours with one of its two riders, Manuel Poggiali and Youichi Ui.

This year Sacchi arrives in Malaysia amid another tense title struggle, but this time matters are far from being resolved as Poggiali trails Arnaud Vincent by eight points and is just 16 ahead of Dani Pedrosa. ´There is still a long way to go and I think there are definitely three candidates for this title,´ says Sacchi. `As far as my team is concerned, I have to say that the main objective has been completed because we are in the fight. What happens from now on depends on many factors but I have a firm belief in our ability to defend this crown´.
Sacchi admits that last year his riders had a technical advantage, but believes that their competitors have redressed the balance over the past 12 months. ´Last year we had a superior motorcycle to the rest but that was a product of our hard work as a team. It seems that this year Honda have reacted and from a technical point of view we are not one step ahead of the rest even though we have done a great job once again. I would prefer that people said we had better machinery because nobody gets bored of winning´.
The future of DRT has been the centre of much speculation and many rumours within the paddock for months, but Sacchi is quick to point out that their focus remains unwavering. ´The most important thing is that we continue working as we have been doing up to now and that the future does not affect the present. At the end of the season everybody will make their own decisions and show their colours, but for the time being they are giving 100% and that is what matters. Everybody is concentrating on the job at hand and I am proud of that fact.´